Ask the Expert: Nurturing Emotional Intelligence From Early Childhood

Helping children recognize, express, and manage their emotions is just as important as teaching them to walk and talk. Emotional intelligence shapes how kids handle challenges, build relationships, and develop self-confidence—starting from their earliest years and continuing through childhood. This week, we have Meeta Gupta Hari, Counsellor at Reconnect Singapore, joining us for an exclusive Ask the Expert session! Whether you're navigating toddler tantrums, guiding a school-aged child through friendships, or wondering how to foster emotional awareness at home, this is your chance to ask an expert. 💬 Drop your questions from March 19-25 📅 Live answering session: March 26 at 12 PM Let’s equip our kids with the emotional tools they need for life. Ask your questions in the comments below! ⬇️ #AskTheExpert #RaisingEmotionallyStrongKids #ParentingTips #ChildDevelopment

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My son is 20 months old, and he spends most of his time with me. As a Muslim, I have a mukena (prayer garment) and other prayer essentials, and I often pray in front of him. Lately, he has been wanting to wear the mukena all the time. I’m quite confused—at this age, can kids already start showing girly tendencies if we don’t guide them properly? What are the things I should avoid doing from a young age to help my son grow up as a boy in the right way?

Meeta Gupta Hari

Counsellor at Reconnect Singapore

8mo ago

Dear Farisha, thanks for writing in. At his young age, it's likely that he is simply modeling behaviors he observes, which is a normal part of his development. He probably doesn’t see these behaviors as gender-specific, as he may not yet fully understand the meaning of prayer items or other items at this stage. At this age, he’s likely developing curiosity about the people around him, so this could be a great time to offer opportunities for him to be around peers to encourage socialization. Interacting with others in a safe environment can be really beneficial in helping him learn to express himself and develop prosocial skills, all of which are important for the healthy development of his personality.

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